The Calgary Flames clinched the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs on Sunday.

Share this:

SAN JOSE, CA – MARCH 31: San Jose Sharks’ Joe Thornton (19) skates on the ice after the Calgary Flames scored their second goal in the first period at the SAP Center in San Jose, Calif., on Sunday, March 31, 2019. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

SAN JOSE — Doug Wilson set lofty goals for Timo Meier when he labeled the young forward as one of the answers to Patrick Marleau’s departure prior to the 2017-18 season.

At the time, Meier had scored just three goals in 34 NHL games, a far cry from 508 tallies that Marleau racked up during his 19 seasons in teal. Including Meier in any conversation with Marleau seemed like a stretch.

Nowadays, the Swiss-born forward is making his general manager look pretty sharp.

Meier became the third Shark to reach the 30-goal mark on Sunday, going top corner from the right circle at 12:01 of the first. He also earned an assist on Logan Couture’s third period goal. With a franchise record 279 goals scored this season, the Sharks are getting along just fine without Marleau and Meier deserves a lot of credit for helping the team absorb the blow.

“It’s a good year for Timo. He’s taken a big step,” head coach Pete DeBoer said. “The playoffs are always the ultimate test and we’re looking for all those young guys to add to their resumés.”

Here’s what we learned as the Sharks lost for the eighth time in nine tries, dropping a 5-3 decision to the Calgary Flames:

1. The Sharks emptied out the tank in Saturday’s win over the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Sharks gas light came on as soon as Meier scored the opening goal. They hadn’t left much in the tank after Saturday’s emotional win over the Golden Knights, which featured a 10-man brawl, multiple fights and plenty of trash talking.

The win also locked up home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs and ended a season-high seven-game losing streak.

Get Sharks news in your inbox. Sign up now for the free Sharks Report newsletter.

As a result, the Sharks coasted on fumes from the 12:01 mark of the first until the second intermission. The Flames scored four unanswered goals, out-shooting the Sharks 20-4 over that stretch. They showed off their quick-strike offense in the first, lighting the lamp three times in a span of 1:15.

The Sharks also finished the game with a season-low 15 shots on goal.

Couture expressed disappointment in the Sharks inability to find energy in a loss that allowed the Calgary Flames to secure the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs.

“It’s a rivalry,” he said. “We’re hoping to see them (in the playoffs). We should have had more energy.”

Like our Sharks Facebook page for more San Jose Sharks news, commentary and conversation.

DeBoer viewed the game more generously.

“You’re coming off an emotional game, back to back and we’re banged up,” DeBoer said. “A bunch of that went into it. It’s not an excuse.”

2. The Sharks opening round series with the Golden Knights is set.

With three games left on the schedule, the Sharks opening round series with the Golden Knights is locked into place. Though the last week of the schedule will be meaningless in the standings, the Sharks will be motivated to put forth a strong effort.

After losing eight of nine games, the Sharks will treat the final week of the season as an opportunity to get their game into top shape before the second season kicks off on April 10.

Couture said the Sharks showdowns with the Vancouver Canucks (road), Edmonton Oilers (road) and Colorado Avalanche are big games.

“They should be,” he said. “We haven’t played well the last two or three weeks here. It seems like we’ve been stuck in mud on a nightly basis. We’re in a tough stretch. One night, we’ll have a few guys going, the next night we’ll have a few other guys going. It’s never a team effort.”

DeBoer is hoping that the final week of the season will give the Sharks a chance to get their lineup back. The team is awaiting the returns of Erik Karlsson, who’s missed 15 games with a groin issue, and Joe Pavelski, who’s sat out seven games with a lower-body injury. In addition, Melker Karlsson and Lukas Radil were both sidelined for the weekend’s games with short -term injuries.

“We’re missing some of our key people here,” DeBoer said. “It shows in a game like that against a team that is healthy at this time of year. They’re one of the top teams in the league. We had a hard time with it.

3. The Sharks will be facing decisions regarding Aaron Dell this summer.

Wilson gave Dell a big handshake in the Sharks dressing room after the game, acknowledging the battle he put forth on a night where the Flames put up 10 high-danger scoring chances (Natural Stat Trick).

He probably could have said, thanks for all the help over the last three years, as well. The general manager will be facing decisions regarding his goaltending over the summer. Was Saturday’s game Dell’s last start with the Sharks?

After two strong years as Martin Jones’ backup, Dell took a step backward this season, posting an .884 save percentage in 24 appearances, which ranks near the bottom of the NHL (minimum 21 games).

“There’s been some highs and lows. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster,” Dell said.

With just four selections in this year’s draft, Wilson might consider trading Dell for an extra pick or two in June, knowing he has options down in the pipeline with the AHL Barracuda. Dealing Dell would also allow the Sharks to save more than $1 million in cap space as they attempt to re-sign Erik Karlsson, Joe Pavelski, Joe Thornton and Meier. Every dollar helps.

If Wilson takes this route, he could let Josef Korenar, who the franchise is high on, battle it out with Antoine Bibeau in training camp. He made a similar play back in 2017 when Dell won the job in a competition with Troy Grosenick.

This would give DeBoer two options at back up goalie, and if it doesn’t work out, they could always trade for a veteran at the deadline.

With a league-worst save percentage, goaltending needs to be addressed this summer. Martin Jones isn’t going anywhere with a $5.75 million average -annual salary for five more years, which probably spells bye bye Dell and one last handshake from the general manager.